About CDH

I could tell you more than I wish I could about congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), but that is what the internet is for, right? Here are some links that explain the birth defect and its treatment and offer support to families who have this diagnosis.

Diaphragmatic hernia occurs in utero when the diaphragm fails to form completely. There is a hole that allows the abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity. This prevents the lungs from growing properly and these babies are born with compromised lung function. Pulmonary hypertension typically follows. CDH occurs in about 1 in every 2500 births. Nationally, the survival rate for a diaphragmatic hernia is around 50%. Each case presents itself very uniquely and there are few predictive indicators for survival.

"Global CDH is a Nonprofit Organization dedicated to sustaining and optimizing a parents ability to focus on their child’s caregiving before, during, and after the child is diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia."